Just hypothetically, say, a company still has not provided a former employee with a W2 by the end of February. I cannot find the law online but I'm pretty sure they are due by the last day in January to all employees. And, say, a recent email inquiring on the subject has yet to be answered. And, say, hypothetically still, lack of W2 is holding up several very obviously important things such as tax filing and school-related things for said former employee. WTF recourse do I have? Also, can I fill out this stuff without the W2? For example by using my last paystub--if you file online you don't have to send in a physical W2 so I'm trying to remember (since I, uh, hypothetically cannot find the folder containing my prior year tax returns in my unpacked boxes yet) if the information on the W2 contains vastly different information than on the final paystub for the business year. Any help with this hypothetical, theoretical question would be appreciated.
I've tried a couple of searches in google, before someone gets smart ass on me, and it's just turning up stupid lo-rent tax helper sites so I don't really know how to search for this, obviously. I'm bad at that sort of thing.
― Allyzay, Tuesday, 24 February 2004 22:49 (twenty-two years ago)
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=106470,00.htmlWhat to Do If You Haven’t Received a Form W-2
Tax Tip 2004-23, Feb. 4, 2004
You should receive a Form W-2, “Wage and Tax Statement,” from each employer you worked for to use in preparing your federal tax return. Employers must furnish this record of 2003 earnings and withheld taxes no later than Feb. 2, 2004 (if mailed, allow a few days for delivery).
If you do not receive your Form W-2, contact your employer to find out if and when the W-2 was mailed. If it was mailed, it may have been returned to your employer because of an incorrect or incomplete address, so be sure to verify your address. After contacting your employer, allow a reasonable amount of time for your employer to re-mail or to issue the W-2.
If you still do not receive your W-2 by February 16, contact the IRS for assistance toll free at the Tax Help Line for Individuals at 1-800-829-1040. When you call, have the following information handy:
The employer's name and complete address, including zip code, the employer’s identification number (if known) and telephone number;
Your name, address, including zip code, Social Security number, and telephone number; and
An estimate of the wages you earned, the federal income tax withheld, and the dates you began and ended employment.
If you misplaced your W-2, contact your employer and be prepared with the information listed above. Your employer can replace the lost form with a “reissued statement.” Be aware that your employer is allowed to charge you a fee for providing you with a new W-2.
You still must file your tax return on time even if you do not receive your Form W-2. If you cannot get a W-2 by your tax-filing deadline, you may use Form 4852, “Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement,” but it will delay any refund due while the information is verified.
If you receive a corrected W-2 after your return is filed and the information it contains does not match the income or withheld tax you reported on your return, you must file an amended return on Form 1040X.
Forms 4852 and 1040X and their instructions are available on this Web site in the Forms and Publications section or by calling toll free to 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).
― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 25 February 2004 01:27 (twenty-two years ago)
luna beat me to the punch. and yes, you ought to get yer w2 by a specific date.
did yer ex-employer do their own w2s, or did they have a payroll company (like ADP or Paychex) that did that?
― Eisbär (llamasfur), Wednesday, 25 February 2004 02:14 (twenty-two years ago)
i think that the IRS pretty much already has all of the information that would go on yer W2, b/c ADP has to do all of the withholdings, paying the withholdings, and any other reporting/payment requirements. i think that they would send the w2s to yer former employer, and they in turn would send them to you and other employees. it may be worthwhile to call ADP, though.
i imagine that maybe yer move has something to do with this?
― Eisbär (llamasfur), Wednesday, 25 February 2004 02:21 (twenty-two years ago)